Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

The surging Celtics meet the super-surging Rockets; Arenas gets good news on knee; Warrick a center?; Krstic sick; Conley still hitting Rookie Wall, while Horford has bounced back from it; Navarro continues to shine; and more...

BEST TEST 
It's not often the best team in the NBA's Eastern conference meets the best team in the West, especially before the NBA Finals. But that's what's on tap Tuesday, as the West-leading Houston Rockets host the West-leading Boston Celtics.

As if this game needed any more intrigue, the Rockets are currently riding the second-longest winning streak in NBA history: an incredible 22 straight victories. They haven't lost since Jan.27, and are 11 straight wins behind the Lakers' 1971-72 team that won 33 in a row. Meanwhile the Celts have lost just once in March, and are themselves 11-1 over their past 12. What is almost as amazing as the streaks, is the fact that both these teams have had major turnarounds this past year. Boston was the East's worst team last season (finishing a dismal 24-58) and in January, Houston was struggling at 24-20.

With Celtic Ray Allen hobbled recently by a sore heel and Yao Ming gone for the season for the Rockets, both squads are making do with help from key reserves. But at the end of the night, it's likely that either Kevin Garnett or Tracy McGrady will have carried his team to victory. So who's really the best of the best?

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ARENAS HEDGES ON RETURN 
On Monday Wizards' star guard Gilbert Arenas had an MRI on his surgically-repaired left knee, and told the Associated Press "they said everything healed." He will now reportedly work out more strenuously, but he backed off talk that he will return right away, leaving open the possibility that he may not play again this season. INTEL: The good news here is that Arenas' knee is healed. The not-so-good news is that his comments seem to refute earlier reports that he may return as soon as Wednesday. Expect Agent Zero to suit up sometime soon, but expect him to take things cautiously, especially after his November experience of thinking his knee was fully healed when it wasn't.

RAY TO STAY OUT? 
On Monday Celtics' shooting guard Ray Allen missed his second straight game because of a sore heel. Head coach Doc Rivers reportedly told assembled reporters Monday that Allen will probably miss Tuesday's game versus the Rockets as well. INTEL: Tony Allen started in place of Ray on Monday but veteran point guard Sam Cassell played more mintues, logging 28 and chipping in 17 points and five rebounds to Boston's 93-91 win over the Spurs. Cassell is himself getting healthy at the perfect time for the Celts, and his strong play should help Boston continue to be cautious with Allen.

PAUL SHAKES OFF SORE ANKLE 
Shaking off the effects of a sore ankle, Hornets' star point guard Chris Paul posted 37 points, 13 assists, and three steals in 42 minutes to lead New Orleans to a 108-97 win over Chicago. INTEL: Paul didn't show any ill effects of the ankle injury he suffered over the weekend, so he seems to be fine. He is showing this season that he is not only the NBA's best overall guard, but also one of its toughest.

WARRICK IN THE MIDDLE? 
In an interesting lineup change, for the past two games Grizzlies' forward Hakim Warrick has started at center in place of the ailing Darko Milicic, who is day-to-day with a sore foot. Warrick has averaged 21 points and 6.5 boards over the two contests. INTEL: This is a notable development because if Warrick gets center eligibility in fantasy leagues, he may become an above-average contributor at that spot. He has averaged over 15 points and seven boards per game since the start of February, and there aren't many fantasy centers who bring those numbers every game. What is clear is that the Grizz seem intent on letting him play down the stretch.

NO NENAD FOR NETS? 
The Newark Star-Ledger reports Nets' power forward-center Nenad Krstic is doubtful for Tuesday's contest against the Bulls after missing Saturday's game against the Jazz with the flu. INTEL: Krstic had recently started to play well since his return from rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee, but this respiratory infection knocks the wind out of his sails. With Krstic out of the starting five on Saturday, talented rookie Sean Williams got the start at the 4-spot, but he shared time there with Stromile Swift. Neither is likely to be very productive the rest of the way, especially when Krstic returns (which should be soon).

GOMES GOING STRONG 
Continuing his strong recent play, Timberwolves' forward Ryan Gomes had a strong outing Monday versus the Clippers, scoring 19 points to go with five boards and two assists in 37 minutes of play. INTEL: Gomes has been up and down this season as the T-Wolves have juggled lineups, but his Monday effort gives him at least 16 points in seven of nine March games. He remains one of the more underrated forwards in the NBA, and while he may never be a superstar he is always productive when given a chance to play.

HAWKS' HORFORD BOUNCES BACK   In his continued bid to upset Kevin Durant as the NBA's Rookie of the Year, Hawks' center Al Horford on Monday posted a career-best six assists to go along with 15 rebounds, 12 points, and two blocks in Atlanta's 105-96 win over the Wizards. INTEL: Horford has quietly gained on Durant over the past few months and is emerging as one of the NBA's better starting centers in just his first season. His numbers dipped a little at the start of March as he hit the Rookie Wall, but he is bouncing back nicely lately.

BY JOSH: POWELL IMPRESSES 
With Chris Kaman sitting out again due to a sore back, Josh Powell got another start at center and contributed 12 rebounds, 10 points, and two blocked shots in 35 minutes of action. INTEL: Powell remains an intriguing option at center because of his athleticism. In previous stops with the Pacers, Warriors, and Magic, Powell played some small forward. At 6-9 and 225 pounds he's no Shaquille O'Neal, but he has shown he can hold down the post and he's a nice sleeper for the stretch run.

NAVARRO STAYS HOT 
Juan Carlos Navarro's recent hot streak continues. With 21 points in 34 minutes Monday versus the Bobcats, the Spanish combo guard is averaging 19 points per game over his past three outings. INTEL: Navarro got the start at shooting guard for the Grizz, as Kyle Lowry headed back to the bench. Memphis head coach Marc Iavaroni continues to juggle his backcourt to go with the hot hands and to seemingly audition people for next season. Navarro has done nothing but produce, although so has Lowry. The member of the backcourt trio that has struggled is starting point guard Mike Conley, who has hit the Rookie Wall.